What is a boss, and what is a leader? For one, they are not mutually exclusive, but one undoubtedly has better connotations than the other. A boss has authority which can be used to make decisions and command a course for the ship, but a leader is associated with taking the wheel themselves, and showing by example.
But what place does this have in a modern business setting, and is there anything more to this battle of labels other than metaphor? In this article, we will break down what makes a boss, a leader, which is best for what situation, and how to use both titles to your advantage.
Table of Contents
Why Is The Term “Boss” Hated?
For many people who have been working for a number of years, you’ve likely had a bad boss. You don’t need to have had one to know they exist, countless personal anecdotes and tropes within TV shows/movies have outlined how much having a bad boss can weigh on an employee. The power structure that exists in the workplace can impact the personal growth of an employee suffering under the reign of a poor boss.
The term “boss” focuses inherently on one person’s position in relation to others, and it’s seen in a negative light. This is due to the fact that bosses tend to focus entirely on ensuring their bottom line is maintained, and objectives met – with consequences being faced for those who fail to meet these targets. There’s a reason why the term “mafia boss” sounds a lot more natural than a “mafia leader”.
This, of course, does not mean that the role of boss should be done away with – we need them. Businesses cannot grow without someone to make the executive decision, but at the same time, a study created by the “Development Dimensions Internation (DDI)” found that 57% of employees have left a job due to their manager, which an additional 32% considering leaving for the same reason.
Why is this?
How Do You Become A Bad Boss?
A person becomes a manager, or a boss, due to knowing how the role works and how best to ensure the function of their workplace. Ergo – they don’t undergo a course that teaches them how to be a boss.
This can result in the following:
- No reference – Many people get put in management positions with very little training being given to them. Likewise, many business owners start their businesses with never having managed any sort of team before. Unfortunately, managing a team in a workplace runs on an entirely different ruleset to actually doing the work. You need social skills, expertise, patience, and a host of other soft skills that a lot of people are expected to develop on their own.
- Power-hungry – Entering a leadership position is good for your career. However, once you enter that position, you now have new objectives to work towards to get to the next promotion. Many bosses may see this in a very black and white manner, dismissing the concerns of their current team with dreams of what the next team, at the next milestone promotion, can be. Ironically, this thinking may create problems that cannot be so easily resolved, stalling their promotions in the process.
- Not as much structure – An employee’s work schedule is filled with work that is set, and often repetitive. A manager or boss is left to their own devices, tasked simply with ensuring the function of their workplace. This can result in a boss making inefficient use of their time, and attempting to rectify it with an iron fist.
What Are The Key Differences Between Being A Leader And Being A Boss?
A leader isn’t just a boss – sometimes they may have no official authority at all. That’s because being a leader means providing a function to those who follow you, rather than demanding a function.
Leaders create outcomes by example. Leaders focus on inspiring and developing their teams rather than simply directing or managing tasks. Whenever they set a task, they are first on-hand, actively empowering their followers through action.
Influencers vs Commanders
A leader and a boss can be seen as influencers versus commanders. To command, you need only give out a list of instructions and demand they be done. Influencing is more about convincing – about motivating employees when you proactively empower collaboration. Leaders encourage open communication and collaboration within teams, creating an environment where team members feel valued and heard.
In this instance, a boss has used their influence to create a place everyone wants to be. Their power has been invested into the employees themselves, so both parties can feel the weight of their responsibility toward the workplace.
Motivation vs Explanation
As a boss, it is your duty to explain tasks and processes to your employees, but true leaders will go further than just explain. A true leader will ensure that everyone sees the value of their work, its wider place in the business ecosystem, and how doing these tasks will ensure the future of the company, and their prosperous careers.
Leaders motivate via the delivery of their messages. Writing out reports or other mundane tasks are not “busywork” in a leaders eyes, but rather irreplaceable duties that ensure the endurance of the company.
Being A Part Of The Team vs Being Above It
Being above the team doesn’t necessarily mean that you think less of them, but rather that you’re keeping your distance. Bosses operate with much more power than the team, but in the end, the best use of that power is to support them by being in the thick of it.
A respected leader is one who knows how to use all the tools of the trade, and has answers. They share their expertise whilst learning from their team’s capabilities etc. Leaders feel invested in the team’s success and recognise that their contribution directly affects the overall success of the team. Employees notice this, and prefer this to a standad boss, and will often find ways within their power to reward the behaviour.
Sharing Authority vs Using Authority
Bosses who hold onto power for themselves usually do so because they are ultimately responsible for the outcome of the team. But in truth, it’s shown that those who give pieces of their power to those who can use it to a better extent than them results in better solutions.
For example, instead of leading a project yourself, consider allowing an employee who has the most expertise in the field to head it. Providing new opportunities to employees in owning their own work like this has been proven to result in great benefits, a 2022 study named “Delegation of Authority: How to Empower Employees” by Primalogik found.
Do You Want To Transform From A Boss Into A Leader?
Leadership skills all involve showing. If you want to transform from a boss into a leader, you need to show your intention. A leader believes that meaningful relationships are the key to success, and should immediately begin working on the workplace culture and environment first and foremost. Remove any pressures or fears from the work environment that you can, and replace it with an atmosphere where anyone is allowed to express their thoughts freely.
Do the following, and you should be able to find a leadership style that helps you transform how you’re viewed.
What Are The Qualities Of A True Leader?
We thought we would end this article by listing the 10 top qualities of a good leader in the workplace.
- Confident – Confidence doesn’t come from nowhere – it comes from knowing for sure what you can and can’t do. If you have been elected as a manager or a boss of a role, you have already been qualified. You can do it. You don’t need to show or prove that you can – you need to go and speak like you have. Your team needs to know that they’re in good hands, and you need to display that every day. You need to be everyone’s voice.
- Communicative – Communication isn’t just speaking. Leaders listen to their comrades as much as they speak. Always make sure that you hear, and speak so that your employees know you hear them.
- Caring – You should take a true interest in your employees and care about their well-being, health, and safety in the workplace. This goes back to communication, but try to remember upcoming events or points of interest about each of your team members.
- Approachable – Your employees and team members should be able to approach you with any workplace-related idea, issue or dilemma. Growing rapport with your teammates and ensuring they never feel any barrier to talking to you is key to ensuring deadlines are fit, and you are clued in to what’s going on in the office.
- Organised – Leaders should lead by example, and this means being organised, meeting deadlines and arriving to work on time. Furthermore, ensure your i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed with anything to do with work or communication to set a standard.
- Hard-working – Bosses are known for being lazy, but a good leader is set apart by showing their work ethic and not being afraid to ‘get their hands dirty’ to help their team.
- Knowledgeable – Leaders should act as a source of knowledge for all other team members. They should have an in-depth understanding of the workings of the company, as well as updated industry knowledge
- Patient – Patience and understanding are the key to great leadership. A good leader explains things with patience instead of getting irritable with team members that take a while to understand certain concepts and processes.
- Flexible – Structure is great, but in the business landscape, things are always changing. Just look at the recent pandemic and the effect it took! Flexible managers know the best ways to adapt to challenging situations. Successful leaders demonstrate adaptability and innovation in navigating the business landscape.
- Creative – Being creative is a great advantage for good leaders as sometimes the best ideas require a little bit of lateral thinking. Leaders seek out innovative solutions to address challenges.
Conclusion
Being a great leader doesn’t mean having the charisma of a President, or the intelligence of a scholar. It simply means doing things by example, and marking yourself as being as important as everyone else in the room. Having an active role within your workplace makes all the difference, and can be wildly transformative to your own personal well-being.
